THE ASANTEHENE, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, stayed awake all night on Sunday at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi.
The king did not sleep because his mother, the late Asantehemaa, Nana Afia Kobi Serwaa Ampem II, was laid in state.
Per Asante tradition which dates to several centuries, dead people are laid in state for family members to keep vigil and mourn them.
The Manhyia Palace ensured that this rich culture was strictly adhered to when Nana Afia Kobi Serwaa Ampem II was laid in state Sunday evening.
Otumfuo, who was wearing black cloth, kept vigil at the portion of the palace, where the queen mother’s body was laid.
Former President Kufuor, who is from the Apagya family in Kumasi, joined the Asantehene to keep the vigil.
The Esama of Benin Kingdom in Nigeria, Chief Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion, considered as Otumfuo’s brother, also joined them.
The paper gathered that royals at the palace also stayed awake as they mourned the departed queen mother.
The vigil keeping was to precede a four-day burial ceremony which would be climaxed on Thursday at the Royal Mausoleum in Breman with the interment of the mortal remains of the Asantehemaa.
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